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Well, it's all called off. Due to rain, apparently. And no OIO approval by 20 March.

Didn't really seem like a lot of time, especially as think took them a long time to get their first plant purchase through in Oamaru. But then again, have 1 plant, what is the difference to having two plants?

Maybe the big capital expenditure is a concern,taking into account their market cap is currently under $15mil..?

The current plant capacity infrastructure at Morton Mains continues to constrain growth opportunities. However, additional throughput was still achieved, and an $11 million capital expenditure program is now underway to address constraints, increase efficiency, reduce physical hazards and improve environmental performance.

Trading at a PE of 4, and around 60% of NTA. Dividend payout poor however.

Does anyone know much about this company, and why the capex/reinvestment costs are so high (they state most of it is just to maintain operations)?

Probably have to look back over recent years why it is trading at PE of 4. Historically been a solid yet unspectacular performer through its history, but made losses of around $2m in 2016 & 2017, before returning to profitability the last couple of years. Turnover was circa $140m last FY, and made $3.6m net, which is a good effort but traditionally the industry runs on low-ish margins.

They've had a change of strategy, new CEO and new cornerstone (Chinese) shareholder - who at one stage made a takeover offer (at $2.20/share). There are 4 long-term main shareholders which hold circa 63%. Rest is small shareholders and would say likely farmers/suppliers - can be in the top 10 with only 60,000 shares/$80k worth.

Looks like last season they processed more lambs.....much greater efficiencies/lower cost of product. Without being privy to the figures, can see that their EU quota was well down (which is a 3-year rolling average of their share of the national production). With lamb numbers overall having decreased over the years, especially in Southland with dairy, then lower share of a declining market isn't a good place to be. Appears that they've arrested that in the time being - last annual report said that number of livestock processed was 742,000, up 25%.

A few years ago they bought an old plant in Gore, with the goal of processing beef - which I think was a bit of a lemon. Lost money, shut it down and now using for petfood. Probably only paid a couple of mil for it, now getting some revenue/benefit packing ingredients for petfood.

I wouldn't get hung up about NTA. A meat plant in the middle of nowhere in Southland wouldn't have the greatest residual value. Probably the land it sits on is the most value thing (ironically for dairying).

They say their capital expenditure programme is being funded out of cashflow. Some of it will be capital stuff, but expect some will have some payback out of it.

When the takeover was on 2-3 years ago, they stated that <1% of their production was sold chilled - which cannot stress enough that this was absolutely shocking and simply unbelievable!! (what were their sales staff doing??) Just a lost opportunity, and see they have stated some growth and looking at their latest AR would say they are up to about 9% chilled - so good progress but still some what to go. Basically doesn't cost them much more to produce - but sells at a higher price, better cashflow and missing that revenue. Back at the same time - they identified they had a yield 3% lower than the industry - again a lost opportunity, which hopefully they are addressing.

My guess is they probably had a reasonable first 6 months, but 2nd HY would be tougher - due to sales into China through February and now 2m separation rules in plant and the resulting inefficiencies through the lockdown. Expect inventory would be decreased this year, and FX would be a good tail wind.

SFF should report next week, so their result may give a little guide (apparently a pretty strong result), but their FY ended 31/12.

Probably have to look back over recent years why it is trading at PE of 4. Historically been a solid yet unspectacular performer through its history, but made losses of around $2m in 2016 & 2017, before returning to profitability the last couple of years. Turnover was circa $140m last FY, and made $3.6m net, which is a good effort but traditionally the industry runs on low-ish margins.

They've had a change of strategy, new CEO and new cornerstone (Chinese) shareholder - who at one stage made a takeover offer (at $2.20/share). There are 4 long-term main shareholders which hold circa 63%. Rest is small shareholders and would say likely farmers/suppliers - can be in the top 10 with only 60,000 shares/$80k worth.

Looks like last season they processed more lambs.....much greater efficiencies/lower cost of product. Without being privy to the figures, can see that their EU quota was well down (which is a 3-year rolling average of their share of the national production). With lamb numbers overall having decreased over the years, especially in Southland with dairy, then lower share of a declining market isn't a good place to be. Appears that they've arrested that in the time being - last annual report said that number of livestock processed was 742,000, up 25%.

A few years ago they bought an old plant in Gore, with the goal of processing beef - which I think was a bit of a lemon. Lost money, shut it down and now using for petfood. Probably only paid a couple of mil for it, now getting some revenue/benefit packing ingredients for petfood.

I wouldn't get hung up about NTA. A meat plant in the middle of nowhere in Southland wouldn't have the greatest residual value. Probably the land it sits on is the most value thing (ironically for dairying).

They say their capital expenditure programme is being funded out of cashflow. Some of it will be capital stuff, but expect some will have some payback out of it.

When the takeover was on 2-3 years ago, they stated that <1% of their production was sold chilled - which cannot stress enough that this was absolutely shocking and simply unbelievable!! (what were their sales staff doing??) Just a lost opportunity, and see they have stated some growth and looking at their latest AR would say they are up to about 9% chilled - so good progress but still some what to go. Basically doesn't cost them much more to produce - but sells at a higher price, better cashflow and missing that revenue. Back at the same time - they identified they had a yield 3% lower than the industry - again a lost opportunity, which hopefully they are addressing.

My guess is they probably had a reasonable first 6 months, but 2nd HY would be tougher - due to sales into China through February and now 2m separation rules in plant and the resulting inefficiencies through the lockdown. Expect inventory would be decreased this year, and FX would be a good tail wind.

SFF should report next week, so their result may give a little guide (apparently a pretty strong result), but their FY ended 31/12.